Columbia, Missouri Metropolitan Area Local whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information. If whitewater paddling is your thing and you're in Columbia, Missouri you may have to drive some distance to get to some decent whitewater. You'll find some good whitewater in the list below to fit any ability level. All the whitewater is pretty far away as you can see so you'd better plan for a long drive. Spending some time picking the right whitewater stretch will make you paddling trip more enjoyable. HIGH QUALITY TOPO MAP, CLICK HERE Important Whitewater Safety Information Whitewater paddling spots near Columbia, Missouri: Whitewater 0 to 25 miles from Columbia, Missouri Hinkson Creek, Missouri, Hinkson Creek Road to Reactor Field, 7 miles away, class I-II, 10.75 miles long. Whitewater 25 to 50 miles from Columbia, Missouri Whitewater 50 to 75 miles from Columbia, Missouri North River, Missouri, Mo. County Road 530 to Highway 61 bridge, 70 miles away, class I(II), 17 miles long. Whitewater 75 to 100 miles from Columbia, Missouri Bear Creek, Illinois, CR900E to Highway 96, 94 miles away, class I-II, 4.5 miles long. Cedar Creek, Illinois, Parker Heights Entrance at 5th St to Bob Bangart Park, 85 miles away, class II-IV, 1 miles long. Fall Creek, Illinois, End of Gorge Trail to Parking Lot, 87 miles away, class I-IV, 2 miles long. Meramec River, Missouri, Maramec Spring to Meramec Caverns, 94 miles away, class I, 67 miles long. Whitewater 100 to 125 miles from Columbia, Missouri South Fabius River, Missouri, Hester Wildlife Area to Highway 61, 112 miles away, class I-II(III), 0 miles long. Whitewater 125 to 150 miles from Columbia, Missouri Black River - East Fork, Missouri, Johnson's Shut Ins, 134 miles away, class II-III, 2 miles long. Brewers Creek, Missouri, Highway V to Highway MM, 148 miles away, class III, 7 miles long. Carver Creek, Missouri, Highway AA to county road off of Highway AA, 141 miles away, class IV, 1 miles long. Stouts Creek, Missouri, Highway M west of Ironton, 140 miles away, class III, 1 miles long. Stouts Creek, Missouri, Lake Killarney to St. Francis River, 150 miles away, class II, 4.7 miles long. Taum Sauk Creek, Missouri, Taum Sauk Mountain to Little Taum Sauk Creek, 137 miles away, class IV-V, 7 miles long. Whitewater 150 to 175 miles from Columbia, Missouri Broadwater Hollow, Arkansas, Park Boundary to Cecil Creek, 173 miles away, class III-IV(V), 0.25 miles long. Buffalo River, Arkansas, Kyles to Pruitt, 174 miles away, class I-II, 13.1 miles long. Buffalo River, Arkansas, Pruitt to Hasty, 173 miles away, class I-II, 7 miles long. Buffalo River, Arkansas, Hasty to Carver, 174 miles away, class I-II, 4 miles long. Buffalo River, Arkansas, Carver to Woolum, 174 miles away, class I-II, 15.3 miles long. Buffalo River, Arkansas, Woolum to Tyler Bend, 172 miles away, class I-II, 15.3 miles long. Buffalo River, Arkansas, Tyler Bend to Gilbert, 170 miles away, class I-II, 5.6 miles long. Buffalo River, Arkansas, Gilbert to Maumee, 168 miles away, class I-II, 11.8 miles long. Buffalo River, Arkansas, Maumee to Buffalo Point, 165 miles away, class I-II, 10.9 miles long. Buffalo River, Arkansas, Buffalo Point to Rush Landing, 162 miles away, class I-II, 7.5 miles long. Buffalo River, Arkansas, Rush Landing to Buffalo City, 159 miles away, class I(II), 24.4 miles long. Crooked Creek, Arkansas, Harman to Highway 101, 156 miles away, class I-II, 52 miles long. Kings River, Arkansas, Highway 74 to Missouri 86, 173 miles away, class I-II, 67 miles long. North Sylamore Creek, Arkansas, Barkshed to Allison, 165 miles away, class I-II, 12.5 miles long. Osage Creek, Arkansas, Compton to Carroll County Road 11, 172 miles away, class III-IV, 6 miles long. Spring River, Arkansas, Mammoth Spring to Hardy, 157 miles away, class I-II, 15 miles long. Spring River - South Fork, Arkansas, Saddle to Hardy, 159 miles away, class I-II, 18 miles long. Strawberry River, Arkansas, US 167 to Ark 58, 172 miles away, class I-II, 22 miles long. Cedar River, Iowa, Kepler State Park, 161 miles away, class III, 0.1 miles long. Raccoon River, Iowa, Walnut Woods SP Ledges, 162 miles away, class I-II, 0.1 miles long. Kansas River, Kansas, Playspot Below I-435 Bridge, 166 miles away, class II, 0.1 miles long. Big Creek, Missouri, Highway K west of Annapolis to Sam Baker State Park, 154 miles away, class I-II, 19.2 miles long. Black River, Missouri, Clearwater Dam to Highway W, 167 miles away, class I, 37.5 miles long. Blue River, Missouri, Blue Ridge Road to Red Bridge Road, 151 miles away, class I(II), 3 miles long. Castor River, Missouri, CR 253 to CR 208, 173 miles away, class III, 1.4 miles long. Crane Pond Creek, Missouri, Crane Lake to County Road 134, 151 miles away, class III-IV, 2.1 miles long. Little Rock Creek, Missouri, Off of Highway E, 156 miles away, class IV+, 1 miles long. Little St. Francis River, Missouri, Highway 72 to St. Francis River, 160 miles away, class I, 15 miles long. Lower Rock Creek, Missouri, Barren Hollow to Highway E, 155 miles away, class IV, 3 miles long. Marble Creek, Missouri, USFS Marble Creek Camp Ground to CR 427, 155 miles away, class II, 3.8 miles long. Mississippi River, Missouri, Riverview Drive North St. Louis, 153 miles away, class III-IV, 1 miles long. Mud Creek, Missouri, Highway D to St. Francis River, 155 miles away, class IV+, 1.4 miles long. Pickle Creek, Missouri, Hawn State Park Road to Hawn State Park picnic area, 162 miles away, class III-IV, 2.4 miles long. Roaring River, Missouri, Roaring River State Park to Highway 86, 166 miles away, class I-II, 5.8 miles long. St. Francis River, Missouri, Highway H to Highway 72, 153 miles away, class I-II, 10.7 miles long. St. Francis River, Missouri, Highway 72 to Millstream Gardens, 153 miles away, class II, 3.2 miles long. St. Francis River, Missouri, Millstream Gardens to Silver Mines, 155 miles away, class II-IV, 2.3 miles long. St. Francis River, Missouri, Silver Mines Recreation Area to Highway 67, 163 miles away, class I, 55.4 miles long. Turkey Creek, Missouri, Highway 72 to St. Francis River, 156 miles away, class III-IV, 2.6 miles long. * Distances listed are direct linear distances from the center of the metro area to the middle of the river section listed, actual driving distance is longer. Other Outdoors Recreation Nearby: Ski Resorts near Columbia, Missouri: Ski Areas 100 to 150 miles from Columbia, Missouri Hidden Valley, Missouri, 124 miles, vertical drop 250 feet Ski Areas 150 to 200 miles from Columbia, Missouri Seven Oaks, Iowa, 188 miles, vertical drop 275 feet Ski Snowstar, Illinois, 169 miles, vertical drop 262 feet Ski Areas 200 to 250 miles from Columbia, Missouri Sundown Mountain, Michigan, 212 miles, vertical drop 475 feet Chestnut Mountain, Illinois, 223 miles, vertical drop 475 feet Ski Areas 250 to 300 miles from Columbia, Missouri Devils Head, Wisconsin, 289 miles, vertical drop 500 feet Tyrol Basin, Wisconsin, 272 miles, vertical drop 300 feet Christmas Mountain, Wisconsin, 298 miles, vertical drop 250 feet Mount La Crosse, Wisconsin, 254 miles, vertical drop 516 feet Afton Alps, Minnesota, 283 miles, vertical drop 350 feet Welch Village, Minnesota, 277 miles, vertical drop 350 feet Buck Hill, Minnesota, 288 miles, vertical drop 309 feet Hyland Ski, Minnesota, 294 miles, vertical drop 175 feet Mount Kato, Minnesota, 279 miles, vertical drop 240 feet * Distances listed are direct linear distances from the center of the metro area to the ski areas listed, actual driving distance is longer. National Parks near Columbia, Missouri: National Parks 100 to 200 miles from Columbia, Missouri Buffalo National River, 162 miles George Washington Carver National Monument, 182 miles Ozark National Scenic River, 147 miles National Parks 200 to 300 miles from Columbia, Missouri Effigy Mounds National Monument, 228 miles Hot Springs National Park, 260 miles Ice Age National Scenic Trail, 288 miles Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, 271 miles Mississippi National River & Recreation Area, 296 miles North Country National Scenic Trail, 288 miles Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, 289 miles * Distances listed are direct linear distances from the center of the metro area to the parks listed, actual driving distance is longer. Important Outdoors Safety Information       Go to Missouri Rivers